Each year the Australian Crime Writers Association recognises and celebrates the achievements and continuing strength of Australian authors.

The Ned Kelly Awards for crime writing are among Australia’s oldest and most recognised awards. They are a highlight of the Australian publishing and literary calendar.

Australia’s love affair with crime books continued this year with 184 books entered for the 2024 Ned Kelly Awards. This compares with 163 last year and 135 in the previous year.

The judging panel commented that 2024 was the year of cosy crime, a sub-genre that has surged in popularity around the world. The judges also noted, despite being fiction, a number of books reflected real world issues, including providing voices for girls and women.

This year’s shortlist explores everything from the dark side of social media and the internet, to Sydney’s swinging 60s; espionage in contemporary Australia and the ever popular rural noir.

The Australian Crime Writers Association is proud to announce the 2024 Ned Kelly Awards Shortlist for Best Crime Fiction:

Killer Traitor Spy - Tim Ayliffe
Dark Corners - Megan Goldin
Dark Mode - Ashley Kalagian Blunt
Darling Girls - Sally Hepworth
The Seven - Chris Hammer
Ripper - Shelley Burr
The Tea Ladies - Amanda Hampson
Everyone on this train is a suspect - Benjamin Stevenson

Award categories: Best True Crime, Best Debut, Best International and Best Crime Fiction. Inquiries to: Karina Kilmore: info@austcrimewriters.com (Winners announced September)